File folder

ABSTRACT

A file folder has a faceplate, at least a snap-type combined plate and snap holes. The snap-type combined plate is snapped securely onto a local position of the faceplate. The snap-type combined plate has a first and a second snapping plate and coupling portion. The first and second abutting surfaces are formed separately on the first and second snapping plates for abutting onto two side surfaces of the faceplate. The first and second snapping plates are aligned correspondingly. The coupling portion allows secure coupling of the first and second snapping plates. Of which, the faceplate and snap-type combined plate are made of different materials. On the whole, the file folder of the present invention provides a protective effect, extends the service life and improves the assembly or recycling efficiency with better industrial benefits and applicability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable. REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a file folder, and more particularly to an innovative one which allows for secure assembly of a snap-type combined plate on a local position of the faceplate.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

A variety of common documents are often available for reading or transfer by the users, and stored or kept by so-called file folders. Protective members made of solid materials are generally injection-molded at the corners and wearing positions of the file folder to improve its service life. However, it is found during actual applications that, as the protective members are prefabricated onto the file folder, a big problem may be encountered in recovery and disassembly of the file folder.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.

Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the unique construction of the file folder of present invention wherein the snap-type combined plate is snapped securely, and said file folder allows coupling of the snap-type combined plate and faceplate, such that the snap-type combined plate can be assembled and disassembled more easily. On the whole, the file folder of the present invention enables one to provide the protective effect, extend the service life and improve the assembly or recycling efficiency with better industrial benefits and applicability.

The improvements brought about by this invention are as follows:

Based on the structural configuration of said coupling edge set between the first and second snapping plates, said coupling edge can be covered laterally onto the faceplate to improve the protective effect.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein the file folder is unfolded.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention showing the assembly relation between the faceplate and snap-type combined plate (snap-type combined plate is assembled at the corner).

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the present invention showing the assembly relation between the faceplate and snap-type combined plate.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention showing another assembly state of the snap-type combined plate (snap-type combined plate is assembled at the flange).

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of the snap-type combined plate of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of the present invention showing another assembly state of the snap-type combined plate (snap-type combined plate is assembled at the folding line).

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention showing another assembly state of the snap-type combined plate (snap-type combined plate is assembled at the folding line).

FIG. 8 is an assembled sectional view of the present invention showing another assembly state of the snap-type combined plate (snap-type combined plate is assembled at the folding line).

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of the coupling portion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 depict preferred embodiments of the file folder of the present invention, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims. Said file folder includes a faceplate 10 having a middle faceplate 13 as well as a first side faceplate 11 and a second side faceplate 12 connected at both sides of the middle faceplate 13. Of which, there is a folding line 14 between the first/second side faceplates 11, 12 and middle faceplate 13, such that the first/second side faceplates 11, 12 can be folded in relation to the middle faceplate 13. A corner 15 is defined onto the first/second side faceplates 11, 12 of the faceplate 10 (marked in FIG. 2), whilst a flange 16 is defined onto the middle faceplate 13 (marked in FIG. 4). At least a snap-type combined plate 20 is snapped securely onto local position of the faceplate 10

Said snap-type combined plate 20 includes a first snapping plate 21 with a first abutting surface 211 for abutting onto the side surface of the faceplate 10

A second snapping plate 22 has a second abutting surface 221 for abutting onto the other side surface of the faceplate 10. The second snapping plate 22 is aligned correspondingly with the first snapping plate 21.

At least a coupling portion 23 is composed of male and female snappers that are protruded separately from the corresponding positions of the first/second abutting surfaces 211, 221 of the first/second snapping plates 21, 22. The first snapping plate 21 and second snapping plate 22 can be coupled securely through the coupling portion 23, as illustrated in preferred embodiments in FIGS. 1-8. Referring also to FIG. 9, another preferred embodiment of the coupling portion 23, said coupling portion 23 is combined with the first and second snapping plates 21, 22. Assembly holes 212, 222 are set correspondingly onto the first/second abutting surfaces 211, 221 of the first/second snapping plates 21, 22 for the coupling portion 23.

Snap holes 30 are set correspondingly onto the faceplate 10 for assembly of snap-type combined plate 20. The snap holes 30 penetrate two side surfaces of the faceplate 10, allowing to insert the coupling portion 23 of the snap-type combined plate 20.

Of which, the faceplate 10 and snap-type combined plate 20 are made of different materials. For instance, the hardness of snap-type combined plate 20 assembled onto the corner 15 and flange 16 is relatively smaller than that of the faceplate 10. The hardness of snap-type combined plate 20 assembled at the folding line 14 is relatively smaller than that of the faceplate 10, such that the first and second side faceplates 11, 12 can be easily folded, thus reducing the cost and maintaining the structural property of the file folder.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the snap-type combined plate 20 is assembled at the corner 15 of the first and second side faceplates 11, 12, such that the first and second snapping plates 21, 22 are structured into L-shaped pattern. With this construction, it is possible to avoid abrasion of the corner 15 of the first and second side faceplates 11, 12 while improving the protective effect.

Referring to FIG. 4, the snap-type combined plate 20 is assembled at the flange 16 of the middle faceplate 13, such that the first and second snapping plates 21, 22 are structured into extended pattern. With this construction, it is possible to avoid the abrasion of the flange 16 of the middle faceplate 13 while improving the protective effect.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the snap-type combined plate 20 is assembled at the folding line 14 defined by the first/second side faceplates 11, 12 and middle faceplate 13. So, the snap-type combined plate 20 comprises of a first retaining portion 201, a second retaining portion 202 and a folding edge 203 between the first and second retaining portions 201, 202, such that the first and second side faceplates 11, 12 can be folded, and the first/second snapping plates 21, 22 are arranged along the extension of the faceplate 10.

Referring to FIG. 5, another preferred embodiment of the snap-type combined plate 20, a coupling edge 24 is set between the first snapping plate 21 and second snapping plate 22, and used to connect the first and second snapping plates 21, 22. Said coupling edge 24 can be covered laterally onto the faceplate 10 to improve the protective effect.

The file folder of the present invention is characterized by that, snap-type combined plate 20 is snapped securely onto local position of the faceplate 10. Said snap-type combined plate 20 is composed of the first/second snapping plates 21, 22 and a coupling portion 23, and then assembled into the snap hole 30 of the faceplate 10, such that the wearing position of the file folder can be protected by the snap-type combined plate 20. Moreover, the snap-type combined plate 20 can be assembled and disassembled more easily, thus facilitating the future assembly or recycling while replacing easily the snap-type combined plate 20. 

1. A file folder comprising: a faceplate having a middle faceplate, a first and second side faceplate connected at both sides of the middle faceplate; of which, there is a folding line between the first/second side faceplates and middle faceplate, such that the first/second side faceplates can be folded in relation to the middle faceplate; and a corner is defined onto the first/second side faceplates of the faceplate, whilst a flange is defined onto the middle faceplate; at least a snap-type combined plate, snapped securely onto local position of the faceplate; said snap-type combined plate comprising: a first snapping plate having a first abutting surface for abutting onto the side surface of the faceplate; a second snapping plate having a second abutting surface for abutting onto the other side surface of the faceplate; the second snapping plate is aligned correspondingly with the first snapping plate; at least a coupling portion, allowing to couple securely the first and second snapping plates; snap holes; set correspondingly onto the faceplate for assembly of snap-type combined plate; the snap holes penetrate two side surfaces of the faceplate, allowing for insertion of the coupling portion of the snap-type combined plate; of which, the faceplate and snap-type combined plate are made of different materials.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said snap-type combined plate is assembled at the corner of the first and second side faceplates, such that the first and second snapping plates are structured into L-shaped pattern.
 3. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said snap-type combined plate is assembled at the flange of the middle faceplate, such that the first and second snapping plates are structured into extended pattern.
 4. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said snap-type combined plate is assembled at the folding line defined by the first/second side faceplates and middle faceplate; so the snap-type combined plate comprises of a first retaining portion, a second retaining portion and a folding edge between the first and second retaining portions, such that the first and second side faceplates can be folded, and the first/second snapping plates are arranged along the extension of the faceplate.
 5. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein a coupling edge is set between the first and second snapping plates, and used to connect the first and second snapping plates.
 6. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the coupling portion is composed of male and female snappers that are protruded separately from the corresponding positions of the first/second abutting surfaces of the first/second snapping plates.
 7. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said coupling portion is combined with the first and second snapping plates; assembly holes are set correspondingly onto the first/second abutting surfaces of the first/second snapping plates for the coupling portion. 